Affresh is a cleaning agent that was designed to clean the washing machine. It is used by putting it in with your laundry and letting it do its work while you wash. The problem, however, is what if you don’t have any Affresh? What can I use instead of Affresh? Let’s look at some options!
What Is Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner?
Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is Nomber One selling washing machine cleaner which is recommended by Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana brands.
Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is made of ingredients that are safe for your septic system. It’s also phosphate-free and works great at removing tough odors like mold, mildew, or soap scum. Affresh washing machine cleaner tablets are made with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (official webcite) Safer Choice certified ingredients, so you can use them with confidence.
Affresh Cleaner Main Ingredients
Two main ingredient in Affresh washing machine cleaners is what makes them so effective: Sodium percarbonate and Sodium carbonate.
- Sodium Percarbonate
Sodium percarbonate is a strong oxidizing agent that works to help remove what causes odors in your washing machine. In addition, sodium carbonate helps reduce the amount of soap residue left behind from what you wash with it by naturally softening water and boosting its pH (the level of acidity or alkalinity).
- Sodium Carbonate
It is used in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, all-purpose cleaners, sanitizing sprays, and soap and glass manufacturing. Soda ash cuts through grease and softens water.
Affresh Cleaner Additional Components
- Affresh washer cleaner also contain polyethylene glycol which aids the tablet in foaming and dissolving gradually after being exposed to water. Polyethylene glycol is used in laundry detergents, shampoos and cosmetics.
- Affresh contains glucono-delta-lactone, a common food additive that helps keep the tablets from breaking down in their package. Sodium acetate also helps bind the tablets. You only want them to start working their magic once they come into contact with water in your washing machine.
How Does Affresh Tablets Work?
Affresh washer cleaner ingredients are what you would typically find in a home-made washing machine cleaner recipe, but these cleaners have been laboratory tested to be effective at removing build-ups and deep cleaning inside pump, valve, tub, drum, agitator, filter and hose.
Affresh cleaner is a formulated, slow-dissolve, foaming tablet that gets under residue, breaks it up, and washes it away leaving the washer smelling fresh and clean. Simply place one tablet in the wash basket (without clothes) and run a Normal Cycle (hot option) or Clean Washer Cycle. Affresh brand is safe on septic tanks, and safe for all washer components. Use once a month to keep your machine fresher and cleaner. Package includes six tablets.
Video: Review and Test of Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tabs
How Often Should I Clean My Washing Machine?
That depends on what you are washing. If your clothes come out with a residue left over, especially after using the detergent pods to wash them, this would indicate that it is time for an additional clean.
Also if you notice excessive mildew or bad odors coming from inside of the machine then it may be necessary to deep-clean it again soon! You could check the manual and see what kind of cycles they recommend running in order to get any stains/odors off before doing so though. If there isn’t much information included in your washer’s manual, you should be cleaning the inside and outside of your washer once per month.
Cost-Effective Cleansers for Washing Machines
Some possible substitutes for Affresh washing machine cleaner tablets are:
- bleach
- dish soap
- baking soda and vinegar.
This cleaning method is just like what affresh does, without using any harsh chemicals. Hot water and a bleach solution may remove some of the residue; vinegar can help scrape off buildup, and might even get rid of the bad smell to some extent. Even bleach may seem to work. Dish soap can be used for a final rinse to get rid of any lingering soap film. Baking soda is another good alternative for a gentle cleaning. Just remember to take extra care when using harsher chemicals like bleach or vinegar.
You have the option of cleaning your top loading or front loading machine with white vinegar or bleach. Personally, I prefer to use either white vinegar OR non-chlorinated bleach because they are safe and all-natural solutions. However, some washing machine manufacturers only recommend using chlorinated bleach.
If you do use bleach, make sure that you only use a little bit because too much can damage your machine. Also, always rinse the tub out thoroughly after using bleach to clean it.
A Deep Clean of Washing Machine
- Remove any detergent trays before beginning though.
- Run a cycle with bleach and hot water (1:1).
- Run a second hot cycle with 2 cups white distilled vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1/4 cup water.
- Use water to clean the rubber seal surrounding the washing machine’s lip.
- Don’t forget there may still be some residual left over residue in these compartments which needs to be cleaned off or it will attract mildew.
Natural Cleansers
You can always use both baking soda and vinegar – these wonderful natural ingredients are often used in a wide variety of kitchen utensils!
Add 3-4 cups of white vinegar to the water and allow the machine to agitate for a minute to incorporate the vinegar. Then add about ½ cup of baking soda. After it allow the machine to run again to mix in the baking soda.
Caution: Be sure to check that vinegar does not have any additives before using it as well! It needs be 100% acetic acid diluted in water.
Video: How To Clean Washing Machine With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Washing Machine Cleaners Similar to Affresh
There are a lot of washing machine cleaners on the market that work similarly to Affresh. Washing machine cleaners contain ingredients like polymers, organic compounds, and cutting-edge technologies that clean your washing machine by breaking up tough buildups and removing residues. Home remedies can’t fight bad smells as effectively.
Some other effective washing machine cleaners include:
- Tide Washing Machine Cleaner
- ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner
- Bayes Washing Machine Cleaner and Deodorizer Spray
While there are many other brands of washing machine cleaners, these are some of the most popular. If you can’t find Affresh at your local store, any one of these substitutes will likely do the trick.
If you are concerned about using harsh chemicals that may unintentionally damage the environment, good news: there are products available that don’t use them.
1. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner
If you’re looking for a washing machine cleaner that will keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean, Tide is the way to go. This product comes with several pouches that can last for months at a time. Not to mention, it will also leave your machine looking shiny and scale-free!
With Tide washing machine cleaner, you can clean away residues and deposits quickly and easily. This product is designed to work on both high efficiency and non-high efficiency machines, leaving your washer looking and smelling great. You can check the price at the sears.com.
2. ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner
The Active Washing Machine Cleaning Tablets are the newest and most improved way to clean your washing machine tubs with just a tablet! These tablets are not only incredibly effective at scraping away any residue or blockages in your machine, but they also fight against the odor that daily use can leave behind. With these tablets, you can be confident that every nook and cranny of your washing machine will be deeply cleaned without any hassle.
These tablets don’t just cover up the smells of gunk and buildup – they actually break down these substances to get rid of the funk for good. Active Self Wash Tablet cleans so you don’t have to brush and wipe your washing machines. And, since they use natural ingredients, you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals.
3. Bayes Washing Machine Cleaner and Deodorizer spray
Bayes Washing Machine Cleaner and Deodorizer spray is an excellent way to get product into the nooks and crannies that other powders or tablets can’t reach (read more at the sears.com).
Bayes’ eco-responsible washing machine cleaner & deodorizer eliminates odors and cleans your machine effectively, leaving behind fresher smelling laundry. It is safe to use with HE and conventional front and top load wash machines, and contains powerful enzymes which remove residue and destroy odors.
The end result is laundry that doesn’t smell sour and stale, but rather cleaner and fresher. With a deep saturation followed by a light spray after each load, you can have amazing smelling loads of laundry without worrying about damaging any fabrics. This product is also eco-responsible because it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and comes in a recyclable bottle instead of an aerosol can!
